Absorbent garment underarm inlays and garment comprising same

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to an absorbent garment inlay configured for attachment within an underarm portion of a shirt. The inlay includes an inner layer having a wicking material, configured to wick moisture therethrough, and an outer layer having an absorbent material. The outer layer is configured to absorb moisture wicked through the inner layer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/970,455, filed Mar. 26, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates generally to functional garment inlays. The invention more specifically relates to absorbent garment inlays for placement about the underarm area of a wearer of the garment.

BACKGROUND

One of greatest factors in the useful life-span of clothing originates from the clothing's contact with the body of the wearer, which can impregnate the clothing with, for example, oils, sweat, and other debris from the skin of the wearer. This is particularly true for garment regions that typically come into contact with high sweat and/or oil producing areas of the body during wear, such as the underarm region, resulting in, for example staining and infusing the underarm regions of the garment with odors.

Known methods of dealing with the stains and odors described above include frequent and vigorous cleaning of garments, such as by soap and water laundering and/or dry cleaning. Excessive cleaning is costly and may cause undue wear on the garment, which can result in shortening the useful life of the garment. Other known methods of dealing with stains and odors include inhibiting the body's oil and/or sweat production. Antiperspirants are one method of achieving this, but antiperspirants themselves can cause garment staining. Disposable underarm sweat pads are inlays typically provided with adhesive for adhesion within the underarm portion of a garment. These devices have varied effectiveness and require attachment of a new pad every time a garment is worn, which can be cumbersome and result in excessive cost and waste generation. Other methods include inhibition of sweat glands, for example by Botox injections, which can be costly, time consuming, repetitive, and poses potential health risks such as bruising at the injection site.

A need exists for a convenient, cost effective, healthy and environmentally friendly method of preventing garment odors and stains, particularly in the underarm regions thereof.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to an absorbent garment inlay configured for attachment within an underarm portion of a shirt. The inlay includes an inner layer having a wicking material, configured to wick moisture therethrough, and an outer layer having an absorbent material. The outer layer is configured to absorb moisture wicked through the inner layer.

The invention further relates to a shirt including a body portion, at least one arm portion, an underarm portion joining the body portion with a bottom side of the at least one arm portion, and an absorbent inlay affixed within the underarm portion. The inlay includes an inner layer formed of a wicking material configured to wick moisture therethrough, and an outer layer formed of an absorbent material. The outer layer is configured to absorb moisture wicked through the inner layer.

The invention further relates to a method of affixing an absorbent garment inlay within an underarm portion of a shirt. The method includes providing the shirt, which includes an interior, an exterior, a body portion, at least one arm portion, and the underarm portion, which is located at a position joining the body portion with a bottom side of the arm portion. The method further includes providing the inlay, which includes an inner layer formed of a wicking material, configured to wick moisture therethrough, and an outer layer formed of an absorbent material, and configured to absorb moisture wicked through the inner layer. The underarm portion is removed from the shirt, the inlay inserted within the underarm portion with the inner layer facing the interior and the outer layer facing the exterior, and the inlay affixed within the underarm portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a shirt in a closed position, having a first embodiment of absorbent underarm inlays according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a left side view of the shirt of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the shirt of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the shirt of FIG. 1 in an opened position with the sleeves turned inside out, to display the interior thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the absorbent underarm inlay shown in FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is a partial front view of a shirt in a closed position, having a second embodiment of absorbent underarm inlays according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the shirt of FIG. 6, with the arms in extended positions, to display the absorbent underarm inlays;

FIG. 8 is a left side view of the shirt of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the shirt of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a front view of the shirt of FIG. 6 in an opened position with the sleeves turned inside out, to display the interior thereof;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the absorbent underarm inlay shown in FIGS. 6-10;

FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the absorbent underarm inlay of FIG. 11, with the inner and intermediate layers removed to expose the outer layer;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the absorbent underarm inlay of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 14 is an exploded view showing the fabric layers of an absorbent underarm inlay according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Certain terminology is used in the foregoing description for convenience and is not intended to be limiting. Words such as “front,” “back,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. This terminology includes the words specifically noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the words “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically noted. The phrase “at least one of” followed by a list of two or more items, such as “A, B or C,” means any individual one of A, B or C, as well as any combination thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a garment 10 having absorbent underarm inlays 50 according to the invention is shown. As shown, the garment 10 includes a body portion 12 configured to cover the torso of a wearer. A neck opening 14 configured for passage of the wearer's neck is defined at an upper area of the body portion 12. First and second sleeves 16A, 16B for covering the arms of the wearer extend from the sides of the body portion 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the garment 10 is a shirt, and in particular a dress shirt having a front opening 20 closable by at least one fastener 22, the at least one fastener 22 being a plurality of buttons 22 in the illustrated embodiment. The shirt further includes a collar 24 surrounding the neck opening 14.

The garment 10 is formed of a textile fabric of a type known in the art, such as a woven fabric, knitted fabric, or a nonwoven fabric.

While a dress shirt 10 is shown in the illustrated embodiment, it should be understood that other suitable garments 10 having body portions 12 and sleeves could be employed with the invention as well, such as other types of shirts and dresses. The garment 10 is preferably an overgarment. As used herein, the term “overgarment” is defined as an article of clothing typically worn outside of and excluding undergarments, and also excluding outerwear such as coats and jackets, such that the overgarment is generally exposed to the outside environment when the wearer is not wearing an item of outerwear, and may come in contact with the skin of the wearer.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-4, a seam 26A, 26B joins each sleeve 16A, 16B with the body portion 12 about an associated arm opening 28A, 28B formed therein. The areas about the seams 26A, 26B extending partially along the left A and right B sides of body portion 12 and partially along the bottom sides of sleeves 16A, 16B when the arms are in the extended positions, as shown in FIG. 1, will hereinafter be referred to as the “underarm portions” of the garment 10. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the underarm portions 32A, 32B are located to come in proximity with the underarms of a wearer of the garment 10, and dimensioned to substantially overlap the underarms of a wearer of the garment 10, extending, for example, approximately 4″ along the sides A, B of body 12 and approximately 4″ along the undersides of sleeve 16A, 16B, though a person of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the size of the underarm portions 32 could vary depending on the size of the garment, and would be capable of selecting the appropriate dimensions for the underarm portions 32A, 32B based on the size of the garment 12.

The garment 10 comprises an interior 18 that faces the body of a wearer, as shown in FIG. 4, and an exterior 30 that faces outwardly with respect to the body of the wearer, as shown in FIGS. 1-3.

The garment comprises inlays 50A, 50B. The inlays 50A, 50B are configured for placement within the underarm portions 32A, 32B of the garment 10, and are configured to wick and absorb sweat from the underarms of a wearer of the garment 10, as described in detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 14, each inlay 50 comprises a plurality of layers, each layer being configured to interact in a predetermined manner with sweat generated by the body of the wearer. The inner layer 52 is configured for placement in closest proximity with the body, and in particular with the underarm regions of the wearer. The inner layer 52 is formed of a fabric configured to wick moisture, and in particular sweat, away from the body of the wearer. Accordingly, the inner layer 52 is preferably formed of a fabric material having an increased rate of moisture wicking compared with the outer layer 56. The inner layer 52 may be constructed of a fabric formed partially or completely of hydrophobic fibers. In an embodiment, the inner layer 52 is constructed of a fiber that has a moisture regain of less than 2%, optionally less than 1%, optionally less than 0.5%. In an embodiment, the inner layer 52 is constructed of a fiber that has a moisture regain of about 0.4%. The inner layer 52 may be formed of a synthetic material fabric, such as a thermoplastic hydrophobic material, for example, polyester. The inner layer 52 may be formed of, for example a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the inner layer is formed of 100% polyester. In another embodiment, the inner layer 52 is formed of polyester blended with another fiber type. The inner layer 52 may optionally be formed of a microfiber textile material. As used herein, the term “microfiber” is defined as a fiber of 1.0 denier or less. The use of microfiber material is desirable in the inner layer due to the soft hand it provides and in turn its ability to cause minimal skin irritation, in particular in the underarm area which can be sensitive in many individuals.

Referring still to FIG. 14, the inlay 50 may optionally include an intermediate layer 54. The intermediate layer 54 is a second layer, adjacent to the inner layer 52, and also configured to wick moisture away from the body of a wearer. In some embodiments, the intermediate layer 54 is identical to the inner layer 52. In some embodiments, the intermediate layer 54 is different from the inner layer 52. The intermediate layer 54 serves as an additional layer between the skin of the wearer and the outer layer 56, which may retain some absorbed sweat, as described in detail below.

The intermediate layer 54 is preferably formed of a fabric material having an increased rate of moisture wicking compared with the outer layer 56. The inner layer 52 may be constructed of a fabric formed partially or completely of hydrophobic fibers. In an embodiment, the intermediate layer 54 is constructed of a fiber that has a moisture regain of less than 2%, optionally less than 1%, optionally less than 0.5%. In an embodiment, the intermediate layer 54 is constructed of a fiber that has a moisture regain of about 0.4%. The intermediate layer 54 may be constructed of a synthetic material fabric, such as a thermoplastic hydrophobic material, for example, polyester. The intermediate layer 54 may be formed, for example, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the inner layer is formed of 100% polyester. In another embodiment, the intermediate layer 54 is formed of polyester blended with another fiber type.

The intermediate layer 54 may be formed of a microfiber textile material. The use of microfiber material is desirable in the intermediate layer 54 due to its high degree of flexibility, such that it does not impart the inlay 50 with excessive stiffness or inhibit bending and flexing of the inner layer 52 or outer layer 56, which surround the intermediate layer 54.

The outer layer 56 is located adjacent to the intermediate layer 54 in embodiments of the inlay 50 that include an intermediate layer 54, such that the intermediate layer 54 is sandwiched between the inner layer 52 and the intermediate layer, as shown in FIG. 14. In embodiments not including an intermediate layer, the outer layer 56 is located adjacent to the inner layer 52. The outer layer 54 is configured to absorb and retain or dissipate moisture transported thereto by the inner layer 52 and/or intermediate layer 54.

The outer layer 56 is preferably a fabric material having a higher absorbability than the inner layer 52 and intermediate layer 54. In some embodiments, the outer layer 56 is a hydrophilic material. In some embodiments, the outer layer 56 is formed of a natural fiber, for example a natural cellulosic fiber or a natural animal fiber. In some embodiments, the outer layer 56 is formed of cotton. In some embodiments, the outer layer 56 is formed of wool. In some embodiments, the outer layer 56 is formed of linen. In some embodiments, the outer layer 56 is formed of rayon. In some embodiments, the outer layer 56 is formed of a fiber blend. In some embodiments, the outer layer 56 is formed as 100% of a selected fiber type, such as cotton, linen, wool, or rayon. In some embodiments, the outer layer 56 is formed of a blend of cotton and polyester.

The outer layer 56 may be configured to dry rapidly, in order to dissipate absorbed sweat, allowing the outer layer to absorb additional sweat and avoiding oversaturation and/or sweat wicking back through the inner 52 and/or intermediate layers 54 to come back in contact with the skin of a wearer. The outer layer may be formed of, for example, a knitted fabric, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the outer layer 56 may be formed of a fabric constructed to rapidly dry and dissipate absorbed moisture. In some embodiments, the outer layer is formed of a fabric constructed as a waffle weave. As used herein, the term “waffle weave” is defined as a woven fabric having warp and weft floats that extend across at least three stitch lengths to form ridges in a repeating grid pattern. As is known in the art, fabrics having a waffle weave construction have greater absorbability and dry faster than conventional weaves, due to the increased surface area created by the ridges. In other embodiments, the outer layer 56 is formed of a fabric constructed as using another type of weave or a knitted fabric.

The inlays 50 may optionally further include an extra-outer layer 58, located adjacent to the outer layer 56. The extra-outer layer 58, when included, is located at an opposite end of the inlay 50 from the inner layer 52, such that the outer layer 56, as well as the intermediate layer 54, if included, are located between the inner layer 52 and the extra-outer layer 58. The extra-outer layer 58 may be provided as a barrier between the outer layer 56 and the outside environment, to protect and cover the outer layer 56 as well as to provide an aesthetically pleasing exterior surface to the inlays 50, which forms an exterior surface of the garment 10 in which the inlays 50 are included, as explained in detail below.

In some embodiments, the extra-outer layer 58 is formed of a mesh material. The mesh material includes openings 60 that permit passage of air through the extra-outer layer, and in turn accelerates drying of the outer layer 56. In some embodiments, the extra-outer layer 58 is formed of a woven material, a knitted material, or combination thereof. In some embodiments, the extra-outer layer 58 is formed of a woven mesh material.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the inlays 50A, 50B according to the invention are affixed within the underarm portions of the garment 10. The inlays 50A, 50B are preferably affixed within the underarm portions 32A, 32B such that the inlays 50A, 50B form the fabric making up the underarm portions 32A, 32B of the garment 10. In an embodiment, the inlays 50A, 50B are affixed within the underarm portions 32A, 32B by stitched thread. In other embodiments, the inlays 50A, 50B are affixed within the underarm portions 32A, 32B by other fastening mechanisms known in the art, such as adhesives or being integrally woven with the fabric of the garment 10.

In an embodiment, the inlays 50A, 50B are affixed within the garment 10 according to the following method. The garment 10 as described herein is provided. The underarm portions 32A, 32B are removed from the garment 10, for example by cutting with a cutting implement such as a blade or scissors, resulting in openings 34A, 34B in the garment 10 about the underarm portions 32A, 32B thereof. The inlays 50A, 50B are placed within the openings 34A, 34B with the inner layers 52A, 52B thereof facing the interior 18 of the garment, and the outer layer 56, or extra-outer layer 58 if included, facing the exterior 30. The inlays 50A, 50B are then affixed within the openings 34A, 34B about the outer edges 62 thereof, by conventional means known in the art. In some embodiments, the edges 62 of the inlays 50 are stitched to the edges 36 defining the openings 34.

The inlays 50 can take on a variety of shapes. The openings 34 that receive the inlays 50 in turn take on a variety of shapes as well, and such shapes are configured to match those of the inlays 50. One such shape is illustrated in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5. Referring, in particular, to FIG. 5, the inlay 50 includes a lower portion 70 and an upper portion 80. The lower portion 70 is configured to be affixed to a lower portion 38 of the opening 34 formed in the body of the garment 10. The upper portion 80 is configured to be affixed to an upper portion 40 of the opening formed in the sleeve 16 of the garment 10. The upper portion 70 and the lower portion 80 are divided by a dividing line 90 that corresponds approximately to the location of seam 26 when the inlay 50 is affixed to the garment 10.

Still referring to FIG. 5, the lower portion 70 includes a substantially square or rectangular body 72 that extends in a downward direction of the garment body 12 for approximately the length of the underarm portion 32, for example a length of 4″. The lower portion 70 may further include a curved lower edge 74 that extends downward from the lower edge of the body 72. The curved lower edge 74 may be included to provide a more aesthetically pleasing border between the garment 10 and the inlay 50, as well as to avoid sharp corners therein, which can result in areas of stress concentration.

The upper portion 80 extends upward from the lower portion 70, or outward along the length of the sleeve 16 to which it is attached. As shown in FIG. 5, the upper portion 80 may include side edges 82 that taper towards each other in the upward direction of the inlay, forming a substantially triangular or truncated triangular shape. The side edges 82 taper towards a central axis X of the inlay, which may run in alignment with a seam 42 formed in the underside of sleeve 16. Accordingly, tapered edges 82 facilitate logical and aligned placement of the inlay 50 along the underside of sleeve 16.

An embodiment of an inlay 150 having a different shape from that described above is shown in FIGS. 6-12. Elements of this inlay 150 analogous to those described above shall be designated using the same reference numbers, but increased by 100, and only the differences will be described in detail. As shown, the upper portion 180 is similar to that of the inlay 150 shown in FIGS. 1-5. The lower portion 170 has a rectangular shape that extends downward with respect to the garment body 112 all the way to a bottom edge 144 of the garment body 112. In the example show, the garment 110 is a shirt, and the lower portion 170 extends to a bottom edge 144 of the shirt 110, such that the lower edge 174 of inlay 150 lower portion 170 forms a portion of the bottom edge 144 of shirt. In the illustrated embodiment, lower edge 174 is curved, to match the alignment of bottom edge 144, however it should be understood that lower edge 174 could have other types of extensions where the garment 10 has an irregular bottom edge 144. As shown, the lower portion 170 of the inlay 150 according to this embodiment, substantially forms a strip extending down the side of the wearer's body, beneath the underarm area 132.

FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of an inlay 150 with the inner layer 152 and intermediate layer 154 removed to expose the outer layer 156. As shown, the outer layer 156 need not span the entire area of the inlay 150, but may be confined to a portion thereof that is most likely to come into direct contact with the underarms of a wearer. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the outer layer 156 is included in the upper area of the lower portion 170 and is not included in the upper portion 180.

Still referring to FIG. 12, a border 192 may be provided around the outer layer 156. The border 192 may be formed of at least one of the inner layer 152, intermediate layer 154 and extra-outer layer 182, or may be formed of another fabric material. The border 192 serves as a section of thinner material that can be easily stitched to the openings 134 in garment 110.

The inner layer 52, 152, intermediate layer 54, 154, outer layer 56, 156, and extra-outer layer 58, 158 may be affixed to each other in the layered configuration described above using any means known in the art, such as stitching, adhesives, hot pressing and hot rolling. In one embodiment, the various layers are provided unaffixed to each other and are retained in their layered configuration by way of their attachment to the garment 10.

The inlay 50, 150 is preferably of a thickness sufficient to transport moisture far enough away from a wearer's body such that it can no longer be felt by the wearer, but is thin enough so as to not inhibit the drape of the fabric. The inlay 50 may be, for example, between 0.5 and 1.5 cm thick, or between 0.75 and 1.25 cm thick, or approximately 1 cm thick.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described, which should be considered as merely exemplary. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An absorbent garment inlay configured for attachment within an underarm portion of a shirt, comprising: an inner layer comprising a wicking material, configured to wick moisture therethrough; an outer layer comprising an absorbent material, configured to absorb moisture wicked through the inner layer.
 2. The inlay of claim 1, wherein the shirt comprises a body portion and at least one arm portion, and wherein the underarm portion is located at a position joining the body portion with a bottom side of the at least one arm portion.
 3. The inlay of claim 2, wherein the inlay comprises an upper portion that attaches to the bottom side of the at least one arm portion, and a lower portion that attaches to the body portion, wherein the lower portion is a substantially rectangular strip, and the upper portion is substantially triangular.
 4. The inlay of claim 3, wherein the lower portion includes a substantially rectangular base and a curved bottom edge.
 5. The inlay of claim 1, wherein the wicking material comprises a fabric having at least one hydrophobic fiber type.
 6. The inlay of claim 5, wherein the wicking material comprises polyester.
 7. The inlay of claim 1, wherein the inner layer is formed of a woven microfiber fabric.
 8. The inlay of claim 1, wherein the outer layer comprises a fabric having at least one hydrophilic fiber type.
 9. The inlay of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is formed of a fabric having a waffle weave construction.
 10. The inlay of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is adjacent to the inner layer.
 11. The inlay of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer.
 12. The inlay of claim 11, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a wicking material.
 13. The inlay of claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer is formed of a woven microfiber fabric.
 14. The inlay of claim 1, further comprising an extra-outer layer disposed adjacent to the outer layer and facing an exterior of the garment when the inlay is affixed within the garment.
 15. The inlay of claim 14, wherein the extra-outer layer is formed of a woven mesh material.
 16. A shirt, comprising: a body portion; at least one arm portion; an underarm portion joining the body portion with a bottom side of the at least one arm portion; and an absorbent inlay affixed within the underarm portion, the inlay comprising an inner layer formed of a wicking material configured to wick moisture therethrough, and an outer layer formed of an absorbent material, configured to absorb moisture wicked through the inner layer.
 17. The shirt of claim 16, further comprising an intermediate layer formed of a wicking material and disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer.
 18. The shirt of claim 16, further comprising an extra-outer layer formed of a woven mesh material, disposed adjacent to the outer layer and facing an exterior of the garment.
 19. A method of affixing an absorbent garment inlay within an underarm portion of a shirt, comprising: providing the shirt, the shirt comprising an interior, an exterior, a body portion, at least one arm portion, and the underarm portion located at a position joining the body portion with a bottom side of the at least one arm portion; providing the inlay, the inlay comprising an inner layer formed of a wicking material, configured to wick moisture therethrough, and an outer layer formed of an absorbent material and configured to absorb moisture wicked through the inner layer; removing the underarm portion from the shirt to form an opening; inserting the inlay within the opening with the inner layer facing the interior and the outer layer facing the exterior; and affixing the inlay within the opening.
 20. The shirt of claim 16, wherein the upper portion has a substantially triangular shape with opposite sides extending towards a central axis of the inlay and a seam extending along the length of the arm portion. 